Water utility warns of chlorine taste, smell in tap water

Tap water could taste and smell of chlorine during annual maintenanceJersey Journal

If the water coming out of the tap has a bit too much chlorine taste or smell for the next few weeks, there's a reason.

New Jersey American Water has announced a change in the water treatment process for its water customers in Somerset and five other counties as part of its annual pipeline maintenance program.

The water utility will change the water treatment from a mixture of ammonia and chlorine to free chlorine at its Raritan-Millstone water treatment plant in Bridgewater and its Canal Road water treatment plant in Franklin Township beginning Monday and continuing through February.

For this period, customers may notice an increase in the taste and smell of chlorine in their tap water, which is normal and temporary until the system maintenance is completed, according to the utility.

The utility said it will monitor water quality continuously to ensure that it meets or exceeds federal and state drinking water standards.